Zebon Copse Nature Reserve

Zebon Copse Nature Reserve is small so it suits little legs. It is a mixture of woodland paths guiding you through the trees

and boardwalks flying you over mires.

There are information boards and maps scattered along the way.

We spotted caterpillars, butterflies, spiders, damselflies and birds. Also a huge orange fungus so big, we had to take a photo with a £1 coin for scale!

The Basingstoke Canal

The Basingstoke Canal flows along Zebon Copse Nature Reserve.

Zephon Common Swing Bridge

The Zephon Common Swing Bridge, takes the nature reserve footpath over one of only two swing bridges on the Basingstoke Canal.

As luck would have it, when we arrived the crew of Bramble were preparing to open the bridge!

It took some effort, but after some serious heaving the bridge began to swing, pivoting on its nature reserve end.

With impressive skill, the Captain of Bramble manoeuvered through the narrow gap.

And the bridge closed again, as if nothing had happened!

A Circular Walk Along the Basingstoke Canal

There is a lovely circular walk from the Zebon Copse car park, through the nature reserve, along the Basingstoke Canal and ending at the play areas.

The Zebon Copse Play Areas

Next to the nature reserve is the fantastic Zebon Copse Play Area. It has an area for younger children

and another area for older children with the longest obstacle course we have seen!

Finding the Reserve and Canal

If you stand in the car park with your back to the play area, there is a little footpath hidden under the trees. This will take you towards the Zebon Copse Nature Reserve and also the Basingstoke Canal.

Signposts on the right mark the entrance to the nature reserve.

The Basingstoke Canal is at the end of this path and on the left at the end. This is an easy five minute walk from the car park.

Nearest Town: Church Crookham, near Fleet
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU52 0ZE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a car park next to the play area and a short walk from the nature reserve.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2016
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Zebon Copse Nature Reserve in Church Crookham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Zebon Copse Junior Play Area

This is for children aged between 3 and 12 years and has:

• a multiplay with a slide, easy to climb steps, a cargo net, a climbing wall, and fireman’s pole
• a roundabout that you pedal around
• an obstacle course with bouncy mushrooms
• toddler swings.

Zebon Copse Adventure Play Area

This is for children aged up to 14 years old and the equipment includes:

• a basket swing
• swings
• a long obstacle course with scramble nets, swinging ropes, balance beams, wobbly logs and log stumps
• rocks with climbing walls. 

There is also a sport wall with a football goal and basketball net

and a large field.

A Circular Walk Along the Basingstoke Canal

If you keep walking past the adventure play area, through the trees, you will come to a little hill

with views from the top (currently of a housing development construction site – so don’t expect tranquility) and a seat.

Continue walking over the hill and down the other side and you come to a little road. Turn right and the Basingstoke Canal is just a short walk away.

Turn right along the canal and keep walking until you come to the swing bridge.

Cross the bridge and you pick up the main path through Zebon Copse Nature Reserve.

Zebon Copse Nature Reserve

From here, you can either go straight back to the car park and play areas by following the main path into the nature reserve and taking the first right.

Alternatively, you can take the first left, which leads you over the nature reserve’s wild-feel boardwalk.

This stretch of boardwalk is a loop that explores the pond and mire

before finishing back on the main path between the bridge and the play area car park.

There are maps on boards along the way to guide your walk.

Nearest Town: Church Crookham, near Fleet
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: GU52 0ZE

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 2.5 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a car park next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: June 2016
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Zebon Copse Play Area in Church Crookham, near Fleet, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Jurassic Park Play Area

The playground has equipment that includes:

• a huge slide accessed by a climbing wall inside a tube
• an obstacle course with a climbing wall, nets, a tyre and a basket
• a multiplay with a slide, easy to climb stairs and a Humpty Dumpty play board
• a toddler swing

• a basket swing
• a monster springer
• a roundabout (that was missing seats when we visited)
• a zip wire.

Next to the play area is a basketball court.

A Monster Tube Slide

The slide’s chute can only be reached by climbing up the inside of a vertical tube.

It’s basically a climbing wall inside a tube so is not suitable for younger children.

Finding The Play Area

To reach the play area from the Great Hollands car park, face the shops and take the path on the right through some trees (as in the photo). Keep walking for a couple of minutes and you will see the play area looming above you on the left.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 8UX

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket. 
Facilities: A nearby shop with drinks, ice creams, snacks.

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: The best car park we could find was at Great Hollands Community Centre (RG12 8UX), which has a large car park and some shops where you can buy refreshments.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: February 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Jurassic Park Play Area in Bracknell is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Royal Victoria CP Story Trail

The story trail is called “Time Trouble at Royal Victoria Country Park” and is one of Hampshire CC’s Story Trails. The trail starts at the chapel,

goes along the seafront

and ends at the Royal Victoria Country Park Play Area.

Bring a Pen!

Along the route, you have to answer questions and enter numbers into Professor Nutrino’s Great Agent Device for Gaining Extraordinary Time (‘GADGET’) so be sure to bring a pen!

Royal Victoria CP Adventure Play Area

The Royal Victoria Country Park Play Area is a well-equipped play area with a large wooden castle, slides and a jeep. 

Netley Hospital

Royal Victoria Country Park itself stands on the site of Netley Hospital, a vast Victorian military hospital that was the world’s longest building.

All that remains today is the central chapel section. 

The Beach

The park overlooks Southampton Water and has a shingle beach.

We found lots of tiny shells and a some crabs. 

Other Things to Try

Royal Victoria Country Park has seafront walks as well as a permanent orienteering course, a miniature railway and a fairy garden. They also hold regular family events.

The Cedar Rooms

Next to the play area is the Cedar Rooms, a restaurant and cafe with a large outdoor seating area. We had a delicious, wood fired pizza.

Hampshire CC’s Story Trails

This is one of Hampshire County Council’s Story Trails.  These are walks with interactive stories to read along the way, which are told by a cute character called the Story Snail.

Each Story Trail is about one mile long and divided into numbered sections. Numbered markers prompt you to read the sections of the story along the trail.

Find a Story Pack

To follow the Story Trail you need a free pack that you can either borrow from a specified place (with a Hampshire Library card and a £20 returnable deposit) or download a copy of a story trail from the internet in written or audio form. 

Each pack has a map to follow and the trail itself is marked with arrows and/or pictures of the Story Snail. 

Nearest Town: Netley, near Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 5GA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice creams, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There are several good sized, pay and display car parks around the park.
Cost of Parking: From £1.80 per hour to a maximum of £4 per day.

Wildlife You Might See: Deer, ducks, seabirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Royal Victoria Country Park, including following the Royal Victoria Country Park Story Trail, in Netley, near Southampton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Netley Park

Royal Victoria Country Park stands on the site of Netley Hospital, a vast Victorian military hospital that was the world’s longest building. 

Today, all that remains of the quarter of a mile long building is the central chapel, but by walking around the park you can get a sense of its enormous scale.

This photo was taken from one end of the hospital building – the chapel was the middle of the building, there was a whole other wing on the other side!

Southampton Water

The country park overlooks Southampton Water, which has a busy, slightly industrial feel – boats of all sizes regularly sail past and there is what looks like a refinery on the opposite shore.

The Beach

The shingle beaches are covered in little shells.

We collected about thirty in ten minutes.

There are ramps down onto the beach for easy access. In other places you have to jump!

Rock Pools and Crabbing

It might not look like it, but rock pools form amongst the pebbles along the beach.

If you look closely, you may spot a crab!

We managed to find quite a few.

Then let them go and watched as they buried themselves again.

Royal Victoria CP Story Trail

The Royal Victoria Country Park Story Trail is called “Time Trouble at Royal Victoria Country Park“ and follows Professor Nutrino, a Time Agent, as she battles to fix a tear in time…with a little help from your children.

And There’s More

The park also has fields to play in

a miniature railway called the Royal Victoria Railway

a permanent orienteering course (course map available from the Visitor Centre), family activities and a fairy garden…

…with a huge picnic table guarded by a wizard!

The Cedar Rooms

Next to the play area is the Cedar Rooms, a restaurant and cafe with a large outdoor seating area. We had a delicious, wood fired pizza.

The Paths

The fields were dry and the paths were flat and easy to push a buggy along.  

Some still show signs of the past.

Royal Victoria CP Adventure Play Area

The Royal Victoria Country Park Adventure Play Area play equipment includes things like:

• a large wooden fort with slides, tunnels, nets, a wobbly bridge and easy to climb ramps
• lots of different swings
• a roundabout
• a music wall
• a multiplay for younger children.

Nearest Town: Netley, near Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 5GA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: The Cedar Rooms cafe and restaurant or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice creams, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There are several, good sized, pay and display car parks around the park.
Cost of Parking: From £1.80 per hour to a maximum of £4 per day

Wildlife You Might See: Deer, ducks, seagulls, waterbirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley, near Southampton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Royal Victoria CP Adventure Play Area

The play equipment is for children to the age of 14 years old and includes:

• a large wooden fort with slides, tunnels, nets, a wobbly bridge and easy to climb ramps
• swings
• toddler swings
• a chair swing
• a basket swing

• a climbing wall (but there were no hand or foot holds when we visited)
• a roundabout
• zip wires (but they were not there when we visited)
• flower ‘telephones’

• a sensory garden
• a jeep
• a musical wall
• a small multiplay with a slide.

The Beach

Royal Victoria Country Park overlooks Southampton Water and has a shingle beach and seafront walks.

There is also a story trail called “Time Trouble at Royal Victoria Country Park”, and a permanent orienteering course

a miniature railway and a fairy garden.

The Cedar Rooms

Next to the play area is the Cedar Rooms, a restaurant and cafe with a large outdoor seating area. We had a delicious, wood fired pizza.

Nearest Town: Netley, near Southampton
County: Hampshire
Nearest Postcode: SO31 5GA

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Cafe, snacks, ice creams, picnic area, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There are several, good sized, pay and display car parks around the park.
Cost of Parking: From £1.80 per hour to a maximum of £4 per day

Wildlife You Might See: Deer, ducks, seagulls, waterbirds and sea creatures.

Information Written: May 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Royal Victoria Country Park Play Area in Netley, near Southampton, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Snaprails Park 

Scattered across Snaprails park are fields

a pond

streams

woods

and towering Wellingtonia trees.

There is also a willow tunnel, cycle-way

and picnic area.

The Paths

The paths are well surfaced and buggy friendly. 

Snaprails Park Play Area

The play area has equipment designed for children aged between 2 and 14 years that includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• accesible swings
• a basket swing
• a small multiplay with a slide
• a roundabout

• springers
• a larger multiplay with a small climbing wall, rope bridge and small zip wire
• a seesaw 
• a small obstacle course
• seats.

Nearest Town: Sandhurst, near Crowthorne
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: GU47 9AW or GU47 9RQ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic.
Facilities: None.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Not the easiest but you can try to find somewhere to park on the nearby roads or in the little lay-by at the end of Evenlode Way (GU47 9RQ).
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, birds and butterflies.

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Snaprails Park and Play Area in Sandhurst, near Crowthorne, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Locks Ride Splash Pad

The splash pad has jets of water

and overhead buckets that gradually fill with water and then suddenly spill down onto the people below.

The Beach Area

The beach area has sandy play areas

and picnic tables and barbecues that can be pre-booked.

There are also toilets.

Opening Hours

The Locks Ride splash pad has set opening hours so be sure to check before you go. 

It is often very busy during hot weather.

Locks Ride Play Area

Much of the play equipment in Locks Ride Recreation Play Area is built over the sand and includes:

• climbing nets to scramble over and under
• a spider’s web net
• a rope bridge
• a balance beam
• a slide set into a hill
• a basket swing
• zip wires a trampoline.

Beside the play area is a multi-gym, two football pitches,

a cricket pitch and a pavilion.

Nearest Town: Winkfield Row, Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG42 7NJ

Opens: The splash pad is open daily from mid-May to mid-September. The play area is open daily.
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Picnic tables or the cafe.
Facilities: Ice creams and toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: August 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Locks Ride Recreation Ground Splash Pad and Play Area in Winkfield, Bracknell, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Locks Ride Play Area

Much of the play equipment is built over sand and includes:

• climbing nets to scramble over and under
• a spider’s web net
• a rope bridge
• a balance beam
• a slide set into a hill
• a basket swing

• a sand pit
• swings
• a toddler swing
• an accessible swing
• a trampoline
• a double zip wire.

Locks Ride Beach Area

The beach area has picnic tables and barbecues that must be pre-booked. 

Beside the play area is a multi-gym, two football pitches,

a cricket pitch and a pavilion.

Locks Ride Splash Pad

The Locks Ride Splash Pad is open from mid-May to mid-September. It’s lots of fun, especially on a hot day but can be very busy.

This has jets of water set into the floor and also overhead buckets, which gradually fill with water and then suddenly spill down onto the people below. 

Nearest Town: Winkfield Row, Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG42 7NJ

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic or eat in the cafe.
Facilities: Cafe, toilets, picnic area, barbecues.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Car park and they can open additional spaces for busy times.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: October 2016
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Locks Ride Recreation Ground Play Area in Winkfield, Bracknell, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Jocks Lane Splash Pad

Water jets spray in all directions from the splash pad, which is surrounded by benches, sun umbrellas and a cafe.

In the sunshine, Jocks Lane has that holiday vibe.

Further details can be found in the Jocks Lane Recreation Ground post.

Splash Pad Restrictions

There are some restrictions on the use of the splash pad – only children under 8 years are allowed to use it before 5pm and there are no balls or inflatable toys allowed. 

You must wear swimming suits and swimming nappies (if necessary).

The Recreation Facilities

Jocks Lane Recreation Ground also has numerous other things to do, including tennis courts,

mini golf

and a miniature railway, which operates on certain days of the year.

Jocks Lane Recreation Ground Play Area

Jocks Lane Play Area has a range of equipment including:

• toddler swings
• swings
• a place for a tyre swing (but no tyre when we visited)
• a swinging seesaw
• a multiplay for younger children with a tunnel and a slide

• game boards
• musical pipes
• a fire engine with little tunnels
• a roundabout.

Equipment for Older Children

There is also equipment for older children:

• a climbing frame obstacle course
• a spinner
• swings that spin
• a zip wire.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 2BH

Opens: Daily from May half term until the summer holidays. Please see their website for full details.
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Car park
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Jocks Lane Recreation Ground Splash Pad in Bracknell is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Jocks Lane Recreation Ground Play Area

Jocks Lane Play Area has a range of equipment including:

• toddler swings
• swings
• a place for a tyre swing (but no tyre when we visited)
• a swinging seesaw
• a multiplay for younger children with a tunnel and a slide

• game boards
• musical pipes
• a fire engine with little tunnels
• a roundabout.

Equipment for Older Children

There is also equipment for older children:

• a climbing frame obstacle course
• a spinner
• swings that spin
• a zip wire.

Jocks Lane Splash Pad

We spent most of our visit playing with the water jets in the Jocks Lane Splash Pad, which is surrounded by benches, sun umbrellas and a cafe giving it that holiday feeling. Further details can be found in the Jocks Lane Recreation Ground post.

The Recreation Facilities

Jocks Lane Recreation Ground also has numerous other things to do, including tennis courts,

mini golf

and a miniature railway, which operates on certain days of the year.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 2BH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Car park
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Jocks Lane Recreation Ground Play Area in Bracknell is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Jocks Lane Recreation Ground

The Jocks Lane Play Area has a range of equipment including:

• toddler swings
• swings
• a place for a tyre swing (but no tyre when we visited)
• a swinging seesaw
• a multiplay for younger children with a tunnel and a slide

• game boards
• musical pipes
• a fire engine with little tunnels
• a roundabout.

Equipment for Older Children

There is also equipment for older children:

• a climbing frame obstacle course
• a spinner
• swings that spin
• a zip wire.

Jocks Lane Splash Pad

Water jets spray in all directions from the Jocks Lane Splash Pad, which is surrounded by benches, sun umbrellas and a cafe.

In the sunshine Jocks Lane has that holiday vibe.

Splash Pad Restrictions

There are some restrictions on the use of the splash pad – only children under 8 years are allowed to use it before 5pm and there are no balls or inflatable toys allowed. 

You must wear swimming suits and swimming nappies (if necessary).

The Recreation Facilities

Jocks Lane also has a number of tennis courts, a five-a-side football pitch,

basketball courts and a kick about area,

table tennis tables

a multigym

and a sports field.

There is also a miniature golf course,

a riverside walk to Jocks Copse and Tinkers Copse

and a miniature railway that is run by the Bracknell Railway Society.

Nearest Town: Bracknell
County: Berkshire
Nearest Postcode: RG12 2BH

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Cafe or bring a picnic.
Facilities: Ice creams, snacks, cafe, toilets and accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: Car park
Cost of Parking: Free

Wildlife You Might See: Butterflies and other insects.

Information Written: June 2017
Information Checked: July 2025

Our visit to Jocks Lane Recreation Ground, Play Area and Splash Pad in Bracknell is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Sands Play Area

The play equipment is said to be suitable for children to the age of 14 years old and includes:

• a hedgehog springer
• a frog springer 
• a seesaw
• swings
• toddler swings

• a spinner
• a roundabout
• a multiplay with a double slide with a wooden ladder, a fireman’s pole and a climbing wall
• a wooden obstacle course 
• seats for adults.

Next to the play area is a big playing field with football goals and a basketball net.

Finding the Play Area

There is a small path to the play area next to The Sands Room (GU10 1LL).  

Nearest Town: The Sands, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 1LL

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic. 
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: You can park on the road by The Sands Room, which is signposted and next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: August 2016
Information Checked: June 2025

Our visit to The Sands Recreation Ground and Play Area in The Sands, near Farnham, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Boundstone Recreation Ground

The play equipment is for children to the age of 14 and includes:

• a multiplay with a slide and a fireman’s pole
• toddler swings
• swings 
• a zip wire
• a basket swing
• a seat roundabout
• a seesaw.

Nearest Town: Rowledge, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4RN

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic and a blanket.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: You can park on the road next to the play area.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: March 2017
Information Checked: June 2025

Our visit to Boundstone Recreation Ground and Play Area in Rowledge, near Farnham, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Rowledge Recreation Ground and Play Area

The play equipment is said to be suitable for children to the age of 13 years old and includes:

• swings
• toddler swings
• a basket swing
• a multiplay with a slide, wobbly bridge and easy to climb steps
• a climbing frame
• a springer
• a roundabout
• a trampoline
• seats.

There is also a table tennis table

and a sports field. 

Nearest Town: Rowledge, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4BW

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, eat at the local pub or grab something at the local shop.
Facilities: Picnic tables.

How Long We Spent There: 1 hour.
Buggies: Buggy friendly.

Parking: There is a car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: February 2017
Information Checked: June 2025

Our visit to Rowledge Recreation Ground and Play Area in Rowledge, near Farnham, is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Nearest Town: Old Woking
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU22 8JH

Adult Cost Range: £10 to £14.99
Child Cost Range: £5 to £9.99
Free if: 3 years and under

Opens: Daily

Where to Eat: There is a cafe in the club house.
Facilities: Cafe, ice creams, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 2 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Free

Information Written: March 2019
Information Checked: February 2025

Our visit to Mr Mulligan’s Pirate Golf in Woking is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Trails

Various trails criss-cross Alice Holt Forest. Some are easy access, others are wilder.  Some are flat, others have steep hills. They are all marked and there are free maps available.

Story Book Trails

Alice Holt Forest is one of the venues that hosts story book activity trails based on the books of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. 

Trails have included The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Highway Rat and Zog.  At the time of writing, there is a Superworm Trail.  

You buy a map bursting with activities to try along the trail – drawings to colour, puzzles to ponder and woodland things to spot.  

Along the way you also come face to face with characters from the stories, including the Gruffalo, Stick Man and the Gruffalo’s child.

The Timberline Play Trail

The 1km long Habitat Trail leads you past both adventure play areas 

and also hides huge play sculptures.

The Adventure Play Areas

Alice Holt has two adventure play areas.

Playwood Adventure Play Area is next to the cafe and has large wooden climbing frames, slides and swings.

Timberline Adventure Play Area is a five minute walk from Playwood and is a huge, circular obstacle course with wooden climbing frames, slides, bridges and nets. 

Other Activities

Alice Holt also has an Activity Centre and Shop that offers cycle hire 

table tennis 

volleyball 

and badminton.

There is also orienteering 

Go Ape 

and lots of picnic spots to try.

The Cafe 

This is located next to the main entrance and Visitor Centre.  You can its picnic tables to eat food you have bought there or brought from home. 

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4LS

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, hire a barbecue or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecue hire, cafe, ice creams, drinks, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Various, starting from £3 for one hour. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds, insects and the odd story book character.

Information Written: March 2016
Information Checked: February 2025

Our visit to Alice Holt Forest and the Alice Holt Adventure Play Areas in Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Playwood Adventure Play Area

Playwood is next to the cafe and has play equipment that includes:

• a large wooden climbing frame with a slide, tunnels, towers with easy to climb stairs, nets, a fireman’s pole and ladders 
• a smaller wooden climbing frame for younger children with a slide, a bridge, a fireman’s pole and easy to climb stairs
• a wooden hut with a rope
• a wooden shipwreck climbing frame 
• swings 
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing 
• an accessible roundabout
• picnic tables
• seats to sit on.

Timberline Adventure Play Area

Timberline Adventure Play Area is a five minute walk from Playwood and is a huge, circular obstacle course with slides, ropes and climbing frames.

Alice Holt Forest

Alice Holt Forest is full of things to do – play trails, cycle tracks, table tennis, orienteering, adventure play areas and even story book characters like the Gruffalo…

Story Book Trails

Alice Holt is also one of the venues that hosts story book activity trails based on the books of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. 

Trails have included The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Highway Rat and Zog. At the time of writing, there is a Superworm Trail.    

The Timberline Play Trail

The 1km long Habitat Trail leads you past both adventure play areas and hides huge play sculptures.

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4LS

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, hire a barbecue or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecue hire, cafe, ice creams, drinks, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Various, starting from £3 for one hour. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds, insects and the odd story book character.

Information Written: November 2022
Information Checked: February 2025

Our visit to Alice Holt Forest and Playwood Adventure Play Area in Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

Timberline Adventure Play Area

The play equipment includes:

• wooden climbing frames
• two slides
• a fireman’s pole 
• nets  
• ropes 
• wobbly bridges 
• climbing walls 
• picnic tables
• seats to sit on.

Playwood Adventure Play Area

Playwood Adventure Play Area is the second of Alice Holt’s play areas and is next to the cafe. It is about a five minute walk from Timberline Play Area.

It has play equipment that includes:

• a large wooden climbing frame with a slide, tunnels, towers with easy to climb stairs, nets, a fireman’s pole and ladders 
• a smaller wooden climbing frame for younger children with a slide, a bridge, a fireman’s pole and easy to climb stairs
• a wooden hut with a rope
• swings 
• toddler swings 
• a basket swing 
• an accessible roundabout
• picnic tables
• seats to sit on.

Alice Holt Forest

Alice Holt Forest is full of things to do – play trails, cycle tracks, table tennis, orienteering, adventure play areas and even story book characters like the Gruffalo…

Story Book Trails

Alice Holt Forest is one of the venues that hosts story book activity trails based on the books of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. 

Trails have included The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, The Highway Rat and Zog. At the time of writing, there is a Superworm Trail.    

The Timberline Play Trail

The 1km long Play Trail leads you past both adventure play areas and hides huge play sculptures.

Nearest Town: Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU10 4LS

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a picnic, hire a barbecue or eat at the cafe. 
Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecue hire, cafe, ice creams, drinks, snacks, toilets, accessible toilets.

How Long We Spent There: 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly

Parking: There is a large car park.
Cost of Parking: Various, starting from £3 for one hour. 

Wildlife You Might See: Ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hedgehogs, tadpoles, frogs, birds, insects and the odd story book character.

Information Written: November 2022
Information Checked: February 2025

Our visit to Alice Holt Forest and Timberline Adventure Play Area in Farnham is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.

The Thursley Common Fire

At the end of May 2020, a fire tore through the boardwalk area of Thursley Common. Lots of trees and vegetation were lost and so was the boardwalk, with its Dragonfly Trail. 

This is a picture of Moat Pond before the fire.

This is a picture of Moat Pond after the fire.

Happily, the Dragonfly Trail has been rebuilt!

Moat Pond

We start our visits at Moat Pond, with its pine scent and marauding ducks.

In the autumn it is surrounded by fungus – we spotted 50 different types last autumn! (I’m sure it goes without saying but we never touch fungus, we just look at it). 

The Dragonfly Trail

This leads you along the boardwalk and over the peat bogs. 

Along the way you can spot lots of insects and lizards 

and also sundews.

The Trails

When we want a short visit we walk around Moat Pond and watch the wildlife from one of the many little beach-like areas. 

If we are after a longer walk, we venture along one of the marked trails. 

The Wildlife

Thursley Common teems with nature and you can almost always see something wonderful.

From spring to autumn, you can see animals on every visit, including animals such as dragonflies, lizards, caterpillars, birds, and spiders. 

On one visit there were thousands of tiny toads hopping across the paths in every direction. 

The Lizards

The lizards are easiest to see when warming themselves on the boardwalk during sunny days. 

Can You Spot the Lizards?

To ready your eyes for lizard spotting, have a look at the photo of a log below. There are three lizards hiding on it – how many can you spot?

Answers highlighted below!

Two are hiding here:

And another here:

Thor’s Den

There is nearby a play area called Thor’s Den on the edge of Thursley Common. You can walk there from Moat Pond but it is quite far so you may prefer to drive (GU8 6QD).

Nearest Town: Thursley, near Farnham
County: Surrey
Nearest Postcode: GU8 6LW

Opens: Daily
Cost: Free

Where to Eat: Bring a blanket and a picnic.
Facilities: None

How Long We Spent There: Up to 3 hours
Buggies: Buggy friendly – we use an all terrain buggy as some areas are sandy and there are roots along some of the paths. 

Parking: There are lots of places to park along the road and a few car parks. We use the Moat Pond car park (GU8 6LW) as it is closest to Moat Pond. 
Cost of Parking: Free but a donation using a parking app is suggested.

Wildlife You Might See: Toads, frogs, wood ants, dragonflies, lizards, caterpillars, birds, spiders, grasshoppers and ducks.

Information Written: July 2019
Information Checked: October 2024

Our visit to Thursley Common National Nature Reserve is summarised below and you can add your own rating under ‘User Rating’ or in the ‘Add Comment’ section below.